Adult film star Ron Jeremy is fighting to save a tree outside his home that his father planted the day he was born.
Con-Edison was planning to come cut down the tree planted in front of his home in Queen in 1953. Jeremy tweeted on Saturday saying, "I need your help. help me save my tree. this tree was planted by my dad the day I was born. Please let Con-Edison know that they cannot tear down this tree. @conedison 61-24 bell Blvd Bayside Queens NY 11364 please help me save my tree." He also included a photo from 2018 of him hugging the tree outside the home.
Jeremy, who is staying at a hotel in Hollywood during the pandemic, told the New York Daily News that a neighbor let him know that the trunk of the tree was wrapped in yellow tape last week.
“I looked after that tree all my life. They tried to chop the tree down years ago but I wouldn’t let them,” Jeremy said. “I even belted myself to the tree.”
According to Con-Edison, the tree is on city property and the Parks Department of the city can decide whether to remove the tree to avoid potential damage to power lines. Jeremy wants to travel back to protect the tree, but doesn't feel safe flying right now. “Let my little tree live,” Jeremy said. “He ain’t ready to go yet.”
In a statement to NBC New York, the NYC Parks Department said they "appreciate Mr. Jeremy's personal attachment to the tree in front of his childhood home. Our city's street trees are not just environment assets, they can also connect us to our roots, reminding us of the people and places we love."
In an inspection earlier this month, the department noted the tree to be in "poor condition" and the branches are likely to fall and effect the power lines. The Parks Department still says Con-Edison will have to provide notice before removing the tree.
Photo: Getty